In honor of legendary CIA Operations Officer, Ric Prado and all the elite Black Ops soldiers worldwide, Four Branches has created a limited-edition Black Ops Bourbon. This is a nine-year aged bourbon finished in dark rum casks as a tribute to Prado’s Cuban roots and his New York Times bestselling book “Black Ops – The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior”.
“I am so honored for this compliment,” said Prado. “The fact that it comes from four warrior patriots who created the Four Branches brand, adds gravitas to their compliment. As a legal Cuban immigrant to our wonderful country, and paid my dues with 50 years of combined service, the aging of Black Ops Bourbon in rum barrels is a poetic salute to the sacrifices my parents made for my freedom.”
Prado is a paramilitary, counterterrorism and special/clandestine operations specialist with a focus on international training operations and programs. He is a 24-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency where he served as an operations officer in six overseas posts. He also served as chief of operations in the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center (CTC) during the Sept. 11 attacks, where Prado helped coordinate CIA/CTC’s special operations activities with the National Security Council, FBI and elite U.S. military representatives from Delta Force and SEAL-Team Six, then detailed to CTC/CIA. He retired as senior intel service-2 (SIS-2, major general equivalent at CIA).
“Black Ops” is Prado’s memoir and offers a unique glimpse into his legendary career fighting virtually unknown wars to keep the U.S. safe. Prado, like the Four Branches founders, has a deep appreciation for bourbon and an unbreakable bond forged in service abroad.
Four Branches Bourbon is the only spirits company founded by four veterans representing four branches of the armed forces – U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army. The mission is to honor the sacrifices of those who have served and supported them. Black Ops is the company’s first limited edition release. Bottled at 100 proof with a deep amber hue and a pepper spice and vanilla nose. The mouthfeel is of citrus zest, oranges, light caramel and dark rum with a taste that has a long finish highlighted by the rye spices and sweet dark rum notes. Only 60 cases were produced
Aroma: Pepper, Spice, Maple Syrup, Butter
Taste: Citrus zest, Oranges, Light Caramel, Sweet Simple Syrup, Dark Rum
Finish: Long, with Rye Spices and Sweet Dark Rum Notes
